The decision comes after Jefferson County Public Schools was informed by the Office of Head Start “that just a single additional substantiated staff incident could jeopardize” its grant status, according to an agenda item for Tuesday’s board meeting.

The decision comes after Jefferson County Public Schools was informed by the Office of Head Start “that just a single additional substantiated staff incident could jeopardize” its grant status, according to an agenda item for Tuesday’s board meeting.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools now has a new chief spokesperson.

JCPS superintendent Donna Hargens has named Helene Kramer as the new executive director of communications and community relations.Kramer replaces Christi Lanier-Robinson, whose two-year contract was not renewed by JCPS. Lanier-Robinson made an annual salary of $135,195. Kramer will make $127,698, according to public records.

Kramer came to Louisville in 1992, where she became a news reporter for a local television station. In 2001, she became the first civilian director of public information for the Louisville Metro Police Department. In 2005, she became the director of public relations for Bisig Impact Group, a Louisville-based advertising firm. She started her own public relations practice, RemarK Communications, in 2010. Last year, Kramer assisted the Frazier History Museum with a re-branding effort.

For her part, Kramer expressed her enthusiasm for the job Friday afternoon.

"It will be an honor and a privilege to serve under Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Donna Hargens, who puts our city,s students first," Kramer said. "There is no greater calling for a career communicator and a JCPS parent than the opportunity to work with dedicated teachers and staff to give our great city a great public school system."

During her annual evaluation in June, Hargens was asked by the Jefferson County Board of Education to improve both internal and external communications in the district. She sent the following statement Friday afternoon:

"Helene Kramer is a true communications professional who builds partnerships with stakeholders. She’s also a supporter of public education. She and her husband are the proud parents of an incoming fifth-grade student at Brandeis Elementary. I’m excited that she is joining our team, and this year employees and parents will notice positive changes with information and communication. We will all be better connected. As a result, our students will be better supported."

Reporter Antoinette Konz can be reached at 585-0839 or @tkonz on Twitter.Copyright 2014 by WDRB News. All rights reserved.